USS Nimitz departure delayed to Saturday

EVERETT — The departure of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz has been postponed until 9 a.m. Saturday.

The delay is due to the need to complete required preparations for deployment, said Naval Station Everett spokeswoman Kristin Ching.

The ship’s impending deployment, scheduled to last from six to 10 months, eventually will take the crew of the warship into the Persian Gulf.

With a crew of about 3,000 men and women, the Nimitz will be joined at sea by its air wing and crew, adding about 2,000 personnel.

This is the first major deployment of the Nimitz from its Everett home port. The Nimitz is the oldest of the Navy’s currently operating aircraft carriers. It was commissioned in 1975.

Navy Capt. Jeffrey Ruth is the commander of the carrier. He previously served aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln when the Lincoln was based in Everett. Nimitz is the flagship for Carrier Strike Group Eleven, commanded by Rear Adm. Michael S. White.

The arrival at Naval Station Everett early Friday afternoon of a military sealift command supply ship has nothing to do with the delay, Ching said.